Ireland U-20 Team Selected For Samoa Match

Instonians Rugby Club has received a significant boost ahead of the 2017/18 season with two highly experience rugby stars signing for the Belfast club in capacities as player/coach.
Former Ulster number 8 Roger Wilson and front-row John Andress, who have both been playing in the English Premiership as well as Pro 12 across the last decade, will be taking up their roles in the coming weeks to aid Instonians in their bid to get back to All-Irish League rugby.

Preview Ulster Juniors v Munster Juniors: Randalstown RFC: Saturday 29.4.17: Kick off 2.30PM

Ulster Juniors team and replacements to play Munster Juniors at Randalstown RFC in the first of the Junior Inter Pros.

1. Chris Nash (Capt – Coleraine)
2. Alan Whitely (CIYMS)
3. Gary Hume (Randalstown)
4. Josh Christie (Coleraine)
5. Michael Ferguson (Coleraine)
6. Brian Hughes (Coleraine)
7. Andy McKeen (Carrickfergus)
8. Andrew Kelly (Grosvenor)
9. Allen McCluggage (Grosvenor)
10. Bokkie Carstens (Coleraine)
11. Mitchell McComb (Grosvenor)
12. Callum Irvine (CIYMS)
13. Mikey Poskitt (Coleraine)
14. Robert Balacoune (Enniskillen)
15. Philip Cartmill (Cooke)

Replacements

16. Adam McDonald (Dromore)
17. Gary Hume (Randalstown)
18. David Greatorex (Coleraine)
19. Toby Mannus (Cooke)
20. Jason Gilliland (CIYMS)
21. Matthew Cahoon (Grosvenor)
22. Grant Bartley (Ballyclare)
23. Martin Connolly (Randalstown)
24. Ryan Garrett (Larne)
25. David Scott (Instonians)
26. Robert Smith (Ballyclare)

Coaching Team

Richard Boyd – Head coach

Michael Ferguson – Forwards coach

Robert Ford – Backs coach

Colin Hunter – Team Manager

Billy Savage – Kit Manager

Katie Lemon – Physio

Head coach Richard Boyd is excited and looking forward to the Junior Inter pros this weekend. His squad have prepared very well over the past six weeks and have put together a fresh, young and exciting squad who have gelled very well in the short time they have been together.

The coach is delighted by the attitude of the players and also the way in which all the Junior clubs have bought into the process. Head coaches across the province have been very helpful and willing to assist with the process with the coach pleased to have them on board.

Munster are the reigning Junior Inter Pro champions and will be a tough ask for his players who are in good spirits and looking forward to pulling on the white jersey of Ulster on Saturday. His players are expecting the game to be very physical and played at a high intensity which will be a great test for his squad.

Chris Nash has been announced as Captain for the Inter pros series and he brings a wealth of Juniors experience to the role. Competition for places has been fierce and the coach has been able to pick a strong 26 man squad for Saturday despite the unavailability of the Omagh players who take on Saturday.

The coach is hoping a big crowd will turn out at Randalstown RFC on Saturday to cheer the team on with the players totally focused and ready for the challenge that Munster will present.

George Millar

Last weekend was another dramatic weekend for Ulster clubs in the UBL. Malone came up just short after trailing 13 – 8 at Dolphin with a late intercept try denying the Gibson Park side a place in the Div 1B/2A playoff final. If they had won this match they would have faced a fourth trip to Munster in five weekends to play Tipperary side  Nenagh Ormond. Armagh required extra time to defeat Dublin side Wanderers 20 -15 to claim a home playoff final against Limerick side Old Crescent. Rainey OB built on a strong first half performance at Sligo to come through 30 – 21. They will now host County Offaly side Tullamore at Hatrick Park on Saturday. Omagh required a strong defensive effort in the second half to see off Munster side Clonmel 25 – 13 to progress through to play Boyne in the playoff match in Drogheda this week.